Step-ladder.



No. 771,352. PATENTED OCT. 4, 1904 J. A. GLOUGH.

STEP LADDER. AP PLIUATION FILED AUG. 28, 1903 no MMMM L.

secured between said uprights.

' UNITED STATES Patented October 4, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. OLOUGH, OF SPRINGVALLEY, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO HARRY D. BURGHARDT AND EDWARD L. BURGHARDT, OF

"SPRINGVALLEY, WISCONSIN.

STEP-LADDER.

PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,352, dated October 4, 1904.

Application filed August 28, 1903. Serial No- 17l,054- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. CLoUGH, a citi-- zen of the United States, residing at Springvalley, in the county of Pierce and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in step-ladders, its object being to provide means for securing the step-ladder in closed or open position.

To this end my invention consists in the features of construction and combination hereinafter particular described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved ladder in open position, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the same in closed position.

In the drawings, 2 represents the step-supporting uprights of the ladder, and 3 the steps Secured to the upper end of the uprights 2 is the top or platform 4. Having pivotal support 5 upon the downwardly-extending sides 6' of the ladder-top are the legs 7, connected by .crossbars 8. Having pivotal support in plates 9 on the sides of the uprights 2 is a rearwardly-extending bail 10. Secured to the outer sides of the legs 7 are the rearwardly-extending plates 11. Each plate 11 is formed on its inner side with a series of upwardly and inwardly curved fingers 12, constituting sockets 13 to receive the free end of the bail. I preferably provide each plate 11 with a longitudinal bar 14, which strengthens the plate and holds the bail out of contact with the ladder-legs.

In use when the ladder is closed the free end of the bail will rest in the upper end 15 of the plate, as illustrated in Fig. 2. WVhen it is desired to secure the ladder in open position, the free end of the bail is placed within desired corresponding sockets 13. In this position of the parts the end of the bail will lie underneath the adjacent fingers 12 and be prevented by said fingers from jarring out of the socket. The ladder is thus firmly held in open position and accidental closing of the ladder is prevented.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination, a ladder consisting of step supporting uprights and connected hinged legs, a bail having hinge-support upon said uprights, rearwardlyeextending plates secured to said legs, a series of forwardlyextending rearwardly-bent fingers upon the inner rear sides of said plates whereby sockets are formed within said fingers holding said bail against accidental displacement.

2. In combination, a ladder consisting of step supporting uprights and connected hinged legs, a bail havinghinged support upon said uprights, rearwardly-extending plates secured upon the sides of said legs, a series of upwardly and rearwardly bent fingers upon the inner rear sides of said plates whereby sockets are formed underneath said fingers holding said bail against accidental displacement.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. OLOUGH.

Witnesses:

ED. L. BURGHARDT, H. D. BURGHARDT. 

